This area is very rich in cultural and ecological history. Olvera Street or “Placita Olvera” (as Latinos call it) is of particularly significance to Angelenos because it was the birth place of the city of Los Angeles back in the late 1780s when the Spanish settled next to the Los Angeles River. An independent Mexico claimed it from Spain but a few decades later relinquished it to United States control after losing all their southwestern territories in the Mexican –American War.

Earth Day Latino intends to bring together residents of the city in a day of education, entertainment and outdoor activities, focusing on the environment, history, culture and art. It will be an unforgettable experience culminating with urban camping under the silhouettes of Downtown‘s skyscrapers on the horizon.

Last year was the first time WCVI and its partners organized Earth Day Latino and 75 families planted trees, heard presentations on the history and ecology of the region, and even played soccer. Families camped overnight in the park thanks to California State Parks’ FamCamp.

This Earth Day 2012 will be a great feast for families and everyone is invited. The event will start at 10AM on Saturday April 21 with a blessing of the grounds ceremony by the Tongva Indian tribe. Then, the young and old can plant trees and shrubs of the region under the guidance of Urban Semillas' Master Gardener Miguel Luna. These young trees are oak from neighboring Arroyo Seco acorns. The Los Angeles Historical State Park and its staff will then give a presentation on the history of this urban green island and will give guided walks through the 32 acres of the park.

Before lunch, we will have one of the most anticipated activities of Earth Day Latino: the unveiling of an amazing artistic model of the original Zanja Madre water wheel that drew water from the LA River to Placita Olvera. The original was enormous, so local artist James Naish has built a steel and wood model that measures 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. Children can hop on a bike fused to the waterwheel so they can power it to scoop recycled water from cistern.

But that’s not the end of our “environmental art” showcase. UCLA professor Dr. Fabian Wagmeister and class of 2012 EcoInterns submit their impressive digital artwork for large billboards. The EcoInterns are outstanding Latino students from public high schools in urban neighborhoods of Los Angeles. To learn more about the environmental leadership curriculum of EcoInterns you can see it here.

For those who do not bring their own picnics, famous restaurant Un Solo Sol from BoyleHeights, will serve lunch. Un Solo Sol is committed to the Latino community and sustainable food. It will be an inexpensive and very healthy lunch since they lean toward vegetarian or vegan dishes. And while we eat, we will enjoy a Battle of the Bands where high school students play their electric instruments powered by solar panels and face the challenge of composing a song dedicated to Mother Earth. A panel of judges will award the winning band.

The afternoon will proceed with more outdoor adventures. REI will be sponsoring a treasure hunt in the park with GPS (Geocache) in English and Spanish. There will also be wildlife show. And at 4:30PM bicyclists will meet and ride along the LA River for 10K, ending up at the park for evening activities and overnight camping.

The night will be greeted with an inexpensive and healthy barbecue with lots of vegetables and no red meat that you can eat by the campfire while listening to stories and drums.

If you register either online or at the park early between 8-10AM on April 21, you will be loaned a camping tent. For those urban campers, the morning of the 22nd will start with a body movement class and a lunch truck breakfast inspired by Salvadorian, Guatemalan and Mexican cuisine.

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Switchboard is the staff blog of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental group. For more about our work, including in-depth policy documents, action alerts and ways you can contribute, visit NRDC.org.